Tuesday, October 25, 2016

35 arrests help slow attacks on Asian/Americans in Sacramento

Sacramento's Asian/American community had several meetings with police and deputies.

THE SACRAMENTO COUNTY Sheriff's Office's 15 arrests added to the 20 arrests by Sacramento police has helped stem the attacks on Asian/Americans living in south Sacramento say both of the law enforcement agencies.

The two law enforcement agencies, along with the cooperation of the Asian/American community has resulted in a 77 percent decrease in robberies since August reported the Sheriff's Office last Friday (Oct. 22). The attacks began about six months ago.

Asian/American leaders claim the numbers are inflated and instead credited the reduction in attacks to the armed civilian patrols the community had started in response to the string of brazen robberies. The residents can call for assistance through WeChat, that reportedly has over 1000 households signed up.

Officer Matthew McPhail, police spokesperson, said police are aware of multiple rap songs that advocate targeting Chinese or Asians, including a song by the rapper YG with the lyrics, “Find a Chinese neighborhood, ’cause they don’t believe in bank accounts.”

Asian/Americans have picketed YG's concerts protesting the lyrics they feel is encouraging the rash of attacks on Asians all over the country, from Sacramento to Philadelphia, which has experienced a similar rash of attacks Asians.According to police and witnesses, most of the crimes targeting Asians share similarities: The victims are robbed and attacked just as they exit their vehicle in a parking lot or at home, However, some of the attacks have included home invasions where the robbers kick through the front door.

The law agencies say the investigation is continuing therefore they could not release the names of the arrested suspects.

Targeting Asians has historical roots, said Gabriel Chin, a law professor from nearby University of California, Davis. He cited a California law from the 1800s that prevented Chinese from testifying against non-Chinese in a court of law. In essence, that meant “Chinese could be freely raped, robbed or murdered,” he said.